Washington State Auditor Audit Reports, Public Records, FIT Data & Fraud Reporting Help
Use this practical Washington State Auditor guide to search audit reports, find performance audits, open FIT financial data, search whistleblower and fraud reports, file public records requests, report suspected fraud, find audit team help, and contact the official SAO office.
🔒 Official Washington State Auditor Resources
Washington State Auditor Help: Choose the Correct Official Page Before You Search
Most users searching for the Washington State Auditor want one of these things: audit reports, performance audits, public spending or local government data, whistleblower/fraud reports, a public records request form, fraud reporting, office contact details, or audit team support.
The official SAO website is the best starting point, but the correct page depends on your task. Audit Reports is for formal audit PDFs. Performance Reports is for program-effectiveness work. FIT is for local government financial data. Fraud Program is for suspected loss or illegal activity. Public Records is for records SAO may hold that are not already online.
A very common mistake is using a public records request when the report is already available through audit search. Another mistake is asking SAO for records it does not hold, such as vital records, property transactions or deeds.
Citizens and taxpayers
Use audit reports, performance reports, FIT, public records request responses and fraud reporting pages to understand public accountability and spending.
Local governments
Use audit team lookup, BARS resources, annual filing guidance, technical advice, FIT and fraud/loss reporting guidance when handling official finance work.
Researchers and journalists
Search audit reports first, then use public records request responses and the public records category index before filing a new request.
Washington State Auditor Audit Reports Search by Government, Keyword, Audit Type and Date
The official Audit Reports page is the main route for searchable Washington State Auditor reports. It includes audit reports since 2005 and provides downloadable PDF reports.
You can search by government name, government type, keyword, audit type and date range. You can also limit the search to reports with findings, state government, local government, performance audits, special investigations and use-of-deadly-force investigation reports.
1
Open the official Audit Reports page
This is the core audit search page.
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Open the Washington State Auditor Audit Reports page. This is the best route for formal audit reports and downloadable PDFs.
Official page: Washington State Auditor Audit Reports
2
Start with government name or keyword
Do not over-filter at first.
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Start with the government name or a clear keyword. Then narrow by audit type or date range after you see possible matches. Too many filters can hide the report if one field is not exactly as expected.
3
Check report type and date before downloading
Audit year and release year can differ.
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Always check the government name, report title, audit type, report number and issue date before quoting a report. A fiscal period and release date are not always the same thing.
4
Use State Archives for reports before 2005
Older reports may not be in the online search.
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The official audit report page says reports released before 2005 can be requested from the State Archives by emailing research@sos.wa.gov.
Best audit search trick
Search broad first with only the government name. After you see the correct agency or local government, add date range, audit type or “reports with findings.”
Important warning
Do not summarize a report from only its title. Open the PDF and read the finding, management response, audit scope and period covered.
Washington Performance Audits, Government Program Reports and Interactive Data
Performance audits are different from routine financial or accountability audits. They usually focus on whether government programs are effective, efficient or meeting policy goals.
Use the Search Performance Reports page when you want reports, interactive data, videos and other information about the effectiveness and efficiency of government programs.
Program effectiveness
Useful when researching whether a public program is working or can be improved.
Interactive data
Some performance audit pages include supporting data, visuals or explainers.
In-progress audits
SAO also provides performance audits in progress for users tracking upcoming work.
Washington FIT Financial Intelligence Tool and Local Government Financial Data
FIT, the Financial Intelligence Tool, is linked by the Washington State Auditor under Reports & Data and Improving Government. It is useful for exploring financial data and local government information.
Use FIT when your intent is not to read a single audit PDF, but to compare or explore financial information. This is helpful for researchers, local government staff, journalists, budget watchers and citizens reviewing trends.
| User Need | Best Official Route | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Find formal audit PDF | Audit Reports | Search by government name and date range. |
| Explore financial data | FIT | Use filters carefully and compare years consistently. |
| Research program performance | Performance Reports | Look for interactive data and report summaries. |
| Find fraud investigation report | Whistleblower & Fraud Reports | Search by government name, date range or keyword. |
Washington State Auditor Fraud Program, Citizen Hotline, Whistleblower and Fraud Reports
The SAO Fraud Program is for reporting suspected loss of public resources or illegal activity involving state agencies or local governments. The Whistleblower & Fraud Reports page is for searching published investigation reports.
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Use the Fraud Program page for suspected loss
Especially for state or local government loss.
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The Fraud Program page says local governments, state agencies and citizens are encouraged to report fraud allegations directly to SAO.
Official page: Washington State Auditor Fraud Program
2
Government employees should preserve records
Do not clean up evidence before reporting.
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The Fraud Program guidance tells state agencies and local governments to protect accounting records, secure original records, notify people who need to know, notify legal counsel and file a police report when advised by SAO.
3
Use Citizen Hotline for broader concerns
Not every concern is a fraud-loss report.
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The Fraud Program page says citizens wishing to report other concerns about a state agency or local government should file a citizen hotline submission.
4
Search published fraud and whistleblower reports separately
This is for published report research.
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Use the Whistleblower & Fraud Reports page to search published reports by government name, date range, keyword and government type.
Official report search: Whistleblower & Fraud Reports
Washington State Auditor Public Records Request, Category Index and Request Responses
The Washington State Auditor provides public records guidance, recent public records request responses, and an online request form for records SAO holds.
Before filing a request, check audit reports, public records request responses, FIT and SAO topic pages. SAO recommends consulting the Public Records Category Index because it lists types of records the office holds and helps users make a precise request.
1
Search online records first
Avoid filing a request for a public page already online.
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Check Audit Reports, Performance Reports, Whistleblower & Fraud Reports, FIT and Public Records Request Responses before filing a new request.
Responses page: Public Records Request Responses
2
Use the Public Records Category Index
Make your request more precise.
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The About Public Records page recommends reviewing the Public Records Category Index to identify what types of records SAO may hold.
Official guidance: About Public Records
3
Write a narrow request
Specific requests get processed more clearly.
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Include the agency, audit report number, date range, subject, record category, file type or communication type. Avoid broad wording like “all records about government spending.”
BARS, Annual Filing, Audit Team Lookup and Local Government Support
The SAO website also provides resources for Washington local governments, including BARS manuals, reporting templates, annual report filing FAQs, training, technical advice and audit team lookup.
| User Need | Official Area | Practical Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Find audit team | Find Your Audit Team | Use this if you work for a government and need your assigned SAO team. |
| Annual filing help | BARS & Annual Filing | Use BARS manuals and reporting templates before filing. |
| Finance guidance | Technical Advice / Resource Library | Check official guidance before creating local policy language. |
| Improvement training | Center for Government Innovation | Useful for process improvement, lean services and workshops. |
Washington State Auditor Address, Phone Number, Office Hours and Map
Use the official contact details below for general SAO contact, public records, audit team help, website support, media, leadership or government accountability questions.
| Contact Item | Official Detail | Helpful Note |
|---|---|---|
| Office | Office of the Washington State Auditor | Official SAO website: sao.wa.gov. |
| State Auditor | Pat McCarthy | Listed by SAO as State Auditor. |
| Street address | Insurance Building, Capitol Campus, 302 Sid Snyder Ave. SW, Olympia, WA 98504-0021 | Use the official map link before visiting. |
| Mailing address | Washington State Auditor’s Office, Insurance Building, P.O. Box 40021, Olympia, WA 98504-0021 | Use mailing address for correspondence when appropriate. |
| Main phone | 564-999-0950 | General SAO main office phone. |
| TDD Relay | 800-833-6388 | Accessibility relay contact listed by SAO. |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Regular main office hours listed on contact page. |
Practical Insider Tips for Washington State Auditor Reports and Public Records
These tips help users avoid wrong-page searches, unnecessary public records requests, misread audit reports and incomplete fraud reporting.
Search audit reports before filing records requests
Many reports are already available online as PDFs. Search by government name first, then narrow by date or audit type.
Do not confuse SAO with county auditors
SAO audits governments. County auditors usually handle elections, recording, licensing or local records depending on county structure.
Use the right fraud route
Government staff with known or suspected loss should use SAO loss/fraud reporting guidance. Citizens with broader concerns may need the Citizen Hotline.
Public records requests should be narrow
Use agency name, date range, audit number, subject and file type. A precise request is easier to process and less likely to return irrelevant records.
Washington State Auditor Office and Public Records FAQs
These FAQs answer common user questions about Washington State Auditor audit reports, performance audits, public records, fraud reporting, FIT and official contacts.
Where can I search Washington State Auditor audit reports?▾
Use the official Audit Reports page. It provides searchable audit reports since 2005 and lets users search by government name, government type, keyword, audit type and date range.
How can I find Washington audit reports before 2005?▾
The official Audit Reports page says reports released before 2005 can be requested from the State Archives by emailing research@sos.wa.gov.
Where can I search Washington performance audit reports?▾
Use the official Search Performance Reports page to find reports, interactive data, videos and information about government program effectiveness and efficiency.
Where can I search Washington whistleblower and fraud reports?▾
Use the official Whistleblower & Fraud Reports page. It lets users search reports by government name, date range, keyword and government type.
How do I report suspected fraud in Washington government?▾
Use the official Fraud Program page. SAO encourages local governments, state agencies and citizens to report fraud allegations directly to the State Auditor’s Office.
How do I request public records from the Washington State Auditor?▾
Use the official About Public Records page. Check online resources and the Public Records Category Index first, then submit the public records request form when needed.
What is the Washington State Auditor phone number?▾
The SAO contact page lists the main phone number as 564-999-0950 and TDD Relay as 800-833-6388.
Where is the Washington State Auditor office located?▾
The SAO main office is listed at Insurance Building, Capitol Campus, 302 Sid Snyder Ave. SW, Olympia, WA 98504-0021.
Does SAO provide deeds, property transactions or vital records?▾
No. The SAO public records page says it does not hold birth, death, marriage or divorce records, and it does not provide property transactions or deed records. Those records must be requested from the correct agency or county.
Is OhioAuditors.org an official Washington State Auditor website?▾
No. OhioAuditors.org is an independent informational guide. Always confirm audit reports, public records, fraud reporting, contact information and official requirements on the Washington State Auditor website.
Official Washington State Auditor Links Used in This Guide
Use these official resources to confirm audit reports, performance reports, FIT data, whistleblower and fraud reports, public records guidance, fraud reporting and office contact details.
| Resource | Official Link | Use It For |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State Auditor | sao.wa.gov | Main office, audit resources, public records, concern reporting and SAO divisions. |
| Audit Reports | Audit report search | Search and download audit reports since 2005. |
| Performance Reports | Search performance reports | Performance audits, interactive data and government program reports. |
| FIT | Financial Intelligence Tool | Financial data and local government research. |
| Whistleblower & Fraud Reports | Report search | Search published whistleblower and fraud reports. |
| Fraud Program | Fraud Program | Report suspected fraud, loss or illegal activity involving public resources. |
| Public Records | About Public Records | Public records guidance and request process. |
| Contact SAO | Contact SAO | Main office address, phone, TDD Relay, hours and leadership contacts. |